Rail clamp for shaping machines



Nov. 12, 1929. w. F. ZIMMERMANN RAIL .CLAMP FOR SHAPING MACHINES Filed Jam. 13, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l N 1 1929. F. ZIMMEWNN 735,310

RAIL CLAMP FOR SHAPING MACHINES Filed Jan. 13, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VIA III

w F awvawcoz v Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN, OF MArLEwoon, NEW JERSEY, AssIoNoR T GOULD &

EBE HARDT, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEw JERSEY I RAIL CLAMP FOR SHAPING MACHINES Application filed January 1 1 shall have a number of clampsfor clamping one member, such for example a cross rail,

to the frame of a machine by an equalizing action and that shall have the clamping forces between the rail and the frame so controlled 2 or directed as toinsure against any tendency to buckle the cross rail.

In the shaping machines heretofore c011- structed it has been customary to clamp the cross rail to the frame or column of the ma chine by means of two clamps which are cated on opposite sides of the shaper frame and which are manually operated at opposite sides of the machine; I In a shaper so constructed it is necessary for the operator to walk around the machine at least once before any adjustment of the cross rail on the machine frame or column can be effected. If it is desired to raiseor lower the crossrail on the frame it is necessary for the operator to release the clamp. at the front side of the machine, walk around the machine andrelease the clamp at the rear of the machine and then return to the front of the machine and operate the shaft for raising or lowering the cross rail. After setting the position of the cross rail, it is necessary to separately operate the clamp at the front of the machine and the clamp at the rear of the machine. Even if the shaft for raising and lowering the cross rail is operated from the rearof the machine, it

will'be noted that it is necessary for the operator to walk around the machine at least once in order to operate the two clamps. Moreover, the clamps, which are 11owprovided on shaping machines, are individually 13, 1925. Serial No; 2,133.

operated and accordingly do not equalize the clamping action performed by them in securing the railto the column.

In a shaping machine provided with a clamping mechanism constructed in accord-' 'ance with my invention, the clamping and unclamping of the cross rail are controlled from one side of the machine and is operated in a simple manner. Thetwo clamps, which are located on opposite sides of the shaping machine, are under the control of a single clamping shaft. The clamping shaft is so connected to the two clamps as to operate 7 them by an equalizing action.

Preferably, each of the clamps comprises a strap having a bolt projecting therethrough. The belt projects through a wall of the cross rail and through a slot in a rib extending from the side of the machine frame. Lockingnuts are secured to the bolt adjacent to i the strap and an adjustable nut is mounted on the bolt adjacent the wall of the cross rail. 'In a clamp so constructed apparent that no tendency to buckle the cross rail is produced. In many types of clamping mechanism, a lever is operated for clamping th'erail to thecolumn and such lever has the tendency to buckle the cross rail. Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description andin part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled is the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this, invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, 1n such drawings, hke characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which I In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front side elevational view of a shaper provided with a clampingmechanism constructed inaccordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is a plan View of the shaper shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, a shaper is shown comprising a ram 2 which is mounted in suitable guideways on a frame or column 3. The ram 2; carries a toolhead 4 which in turn carries a suitable cutting tool. The ram is locked in position by means of a lever 5 and is. adjusted with respect tov the frame by meansof a-squa-re ended shaft 6". The reciproe catory movement of the ram 2 is effected from a pulley 40 by means of a' bull: gear wheel 41 and a lever 42 in any suitable manner and the len th of the stroke is controlled by-operating a square ended shaft 7. V

A work carrying table 8 which is positioned bel'owthe tool head 4, is secured to and horizontally adjustable on a cross rail 9. The cross rail 9 is fitted to guideways 10 on the frame or column 3 as shown in Fig. 4. Surfaces 11 and 12 are formed on the cross rail for engaging similar surfaces 13 and 14 on ribs 13 and 14 which project from the sides of the column 3. The work table 8 is fed across the rail 9 by means of a shaft 15. The shaft 15 is provided with a squared end and may be manually operated by means of a suitable crank lever. Moreover, the cross feed shaft 15 may be automatically operated in the usual manner by means ofja connecting rod 16. A shaft 17 is provided for raising and lowering the cross rail 9 on the column 3 and a clamping shaft 18 is provided for operating clamps19 and 20. The clamps 19 and 20 are respectively located at the front 3 and; the rear of the shaper.

The clamp 19 comprises a strap 21' and a clamping bolt 22'. The clamping bolt 22 projects through the strap 21, the rib 13 on rail. 'Jj'am nuts-24 are mounted on the bolt 22 adjacent tothe strap 21 for permitting longitudinal adj'ustment'of the bolt. On the end of the bolt 22", which projects beyond thewall of the cross rail 9 is mounted a castellated nut 25. The nut 25 is secured to the bolt in order to limit the unclamping movement to be described. Adjacent to the nut 25 is mounted an adjustable nut 26 which is formed in the nature of a worm gear wheel. The nut 26 is fitted to-suitable threads on the bolt and is operable along the bolt for clamping the rail to the column.

A number of bolts 27, shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, project through the strap 21, the slot 23in the colummand the cross rail. These boltsare'not clamped tight to interfere with. the free movement of the cross rail on the column. The bolts 27 are fitted bolts which should not be affected by the overhang weight of the, cross rail when the clamping bolt is released. A suitable key 28 is provided for preventing rotative movement of the bolt 22 with respect to the strap 21.

The clamp 20, located at the rear side of the machine, is in many respects similar to the clamp. 19: located at the front side of the machine. The clamp 20 comprises a strap 29 and a clamping bolt 30. The clamping bolt 30 projects through the strap 29, through a slot 31 formed in, the rib. 14 of the column, and through the cross rail 9. Two jam nuts 32 are mounted on one end of the clamp bolt adjacent to the strap 29 and a castellated nut 33' is secured to theopposite end of the bolt. Adjacent to the nut 33 is mounted an adjustable nut 34' which has spur gear teeth 35 formed on it. The nut 34 which is formed in the nature of a gear wheel, is operable along the bolt 30 in the manner to be hereinafter set forth for clamping the rail to the column. A suitable key 36 is provided for preventing any rotative movement of the bolt 30 with respect to the strap 29.

The clamping shaft 18 is rotatably and slidabl'fv mounted on the cross rail 9. A worm thread 37' is formed on the shaft for engr ing the worm teeth on the nut 26 and a CilfCl rack 38 is formed on the shaft for en gaging the spur gear teeth 35 on the nut 34. The shaft 18 is provided with a squared end portion which may be operated by a suitable cran handle. The shaft is rotated in one direction to effect clamping action by the clamps 19 and? 20 and is rotated in an opposite direction to efi'ect' unclamping action.

Upon rotation of the shaft 18 to effect a clamping operation, the nut 26 on the bolt 22 will? be rotated by means of the worm thread 37 if the clamp 20 is locked somewhat tighter than the clamp 19. The rotation of the nut 26' is continued until the clamp 19' is locked tighter than the clamp 20. At such time the nut 26 is held stationary to, effect longitudinal movement of the shaft 18. The longitudinal movement of the shaft 18 effects rotation ofthe nut 34 on the clamping bolt 30. Such rotation of the nut is effected by means of the circular rack teeth 38 on the shaft and the spur gear teeth 35 on the nut 34. The longitudinal movement of the shaft 18 continues until the clamp, 20. is locked tighter than the clamp 19. At such timethe nut 34 will be held stationary. The above equalizing operation is continued untilthe clamps 19 and 20 are in a clamped position.

The shoulders formed on the clamping shaft 18- at the, ends of the circular rack 38 serveto engage the spur-gear teeth 35 tolimit the longitudinal movement of the shaft. It. is, of course, apparent that if so desired collars may be formed on the shaft 18 at the ends of the circular rack 38 for performing a, similar function.

The unclam'ping; operationv of the two.

ing the nut 34.

clamps 19 and 20 is effected in a manner similar to the clamping operation. The clamping shaft 18 is rotated in a reverse direction to that effected during the clamping operation of the bolts 22 and 30 serve to limit the un-' clamping movement of either of the nuts 26 and 34. The engagement of the nut 26 with the castellated nut 25 prevents any further rotation of the shaft 18 and insures longitudinal movement of such shaft for unclamp- Moreover, engagement of the nut 34 with the castellated nut33 stops longitudinal movement of the shaft and compels rotative movement of such shaft for un-,

clamping the nut 26.

In constructing a clamping mechanism, as above described, it is preferable to modify the angle of the Worm thread 37 formed on the shaft 18. Otherwise, when the nut 34 reaches the end of the circular rack 38 and engages the shoulder on the shaft, it is possible to exert suflicient power on the clamps to wrench some of the clamping parts. The modifying of the angle of the worm thread 37 serves to reduce the power ratio to safe limits. Particular attention is called to the fact that the clamping forces which are produced by the nuts 26 and 34 for securing the cross rail 9 to the column are directed parallel to the clamping bolts 22 and 30 and accordingly such forces are perpendicular to surfaces of engagement between the rail and the column. It should also be noted the nuts 26 and 34 are directly operated by the clamping shaft. Accordingly there is no tendency to buckle the cross rail when clamped.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that,

from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States a 1. In a shaper, in combination, a frame; a cross rail movable vertically on the frame;

a work carrying table movable along said cross rail; mechanism for moving said table I along said cross rail a tool carrying ram movable on said frame; mechanism torreciprocating said ram across said table; a plurality of connected and equalized clamping devices at opposite sides of said frame for securing therail to the frame, each of said clamps comprising a strap engaging the face of said frame remote from the rail; a bolt connected with each of said straps and extending through a slot in said frame and through a portion of said rail and a clamping nut threaded on the extended portions of each of said bolts; a clamp-actuating shaft rotatably and translatably journaled in said rail; worm-gearing comprising a worm fixed to said shaft and a cooperating worm-gear fixed to one of said nuts for actuating one of said clamps; rack and pinion gearing comprising a rack on said shaft and a cooperating pinion integral with the other of said nuts for actuating the other of said clamps; and means to rotate said shaft. 1

2. A shaper combining a frame; a cross rail movable on said frame; a rib projecting from each side of said frame; each of said ribs having a slot formed therein; clamping bolts carried by said cross rail and projecting through said slots and cooperating with means at the opposite side of said ribs for clamping said cross rail to said frame; a rotatable and translatable clamp-actuating; shaft operable from one side of said frame; a nut threaded upon each of said bolts; worm gearing comprising a worm fixed to said shaft and a Worm wheel fixed to one of said nuts for connecting said shaft to one of said bolts to actuate one of said clamps by rotation of said shaft; and a rack and pinion gearing connecting said shaft with the other of said bolts to actuate the other clamp by translation of said shaft, said rack and pinion gearing comprising a circular rack on said shaft and a pinion integral with one of said nuts.

3. In a machine tool in combination, a

frame; a member movable vertically on said frame; manual means operable from one side of the machine for shifting said member on said frame two boltslocated at opposite sides of said machine for securing said member to said frame by clamping action; two nuts.

' able shaft, a rack on said shaft engaging said pinion gear, a Worm on said shaft engaging said worm gear, and manual means, operable from the s de of the machine from which said shifting means is operable, to rotate said shaft thereby to actuate said worm controlled clamp,.said Worm and orm gear act- 1 ing to convert the rotary motion of said shaft intotranslatory motion thereby to actuate saidrack and pinion controlled clamp.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscrlbed my name.

7 WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN. 

